The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-04-09
Old National Road Hotel Keepers.
5RANTsvILLE, Md. April 4. 1887.

hear something more of the Old
Hotel Keepers on the National Road.
In the last paper especial reference
was made to two aged and respected
survivors. They are George Mathews
and William Sheetz, half brothers
the former about IS years of age, and
the latter at least 80, now living at
Selbysport, Md, and Libertyville,
Iowa. Mathews was born near Frost
burg. on farm. Learned the tam
Ing trade; after that for some years
stage-driver, (then a very respect
able vocation.) which he quit and
went to hotel keeping at the Little
Crossings, about the year 1885. He
continued at the business several
years with success, and made money
enough to purchase store at that
place, which was then the most bust,
ness point between Frosthurg and
Petersburg. He was also successful
as merchant. but his early sup
pressed tastes for farming returned
to him. In 1889 he sold, or rather
traded his store to Daniel Smouse,
.nsw deceased, for his fine farm near
Selbysport. where he has resided con-
tinually all these many years-nearly
half a century. His wife, nee Lydia
Compton, still survives in vigorous
health ard life. These two good old
people haye lived in this holy rela-
ton beyond the golden term. They
raised large family of children,
now grown and widely scattered.
George Mathews always sustained
high character for integrity and up
right dealings with his fellow men;
of positive. decided and unyield.
ing nature, He could afford to be so,
because I'M honest heart and clear
head kept him in the right. Once,
and only once, he consented to be
candidate for Office. Was elected
county commissioner IN 1851, as a
Democrat. He is library of practi-
cal and useful knowledge.
William Sheetz was born in Wash
ingtOn county, Md. but his father
removed to what afterwards became
Frostburg. when the former was
child, where the one grew up dbnan-
hood and the other died. He was
raised on farm think he also learn
ed tanning, which was the family
trade. William had also experience
on the 'stage box" as well as team
ster on the National Road. He drift
ed into hotel keeping when in mature
life. Kept an inn on Negro Noun
tain. where it is fearfully bleak and
cold in winter, but most charming
in the summer season on account of
its pure and bracing atmosphere,
and its magnificent and far-reaching
view to the east and south. No bet
ter place for hayfever anywhere, so
says a sufferer. Here Sheetz played
the roll of "tavern keeper" for many
years. 1t was the drovers retreat.
How the "cow boys" and "pig pei
tiers" would pelt their hating ami.
mails to reach this favorite resort;
and we'll they might. for they were
always we'll cared for and fed of the
best, and not allowed too much cheap
whiskey. The house had good run
of custom was orderly and in good
repute. He was remarkable for his
quiet and gentlemanly demeanOr ;
indeed, he was an old time Maryland
gentleman. He kept up the business
in connection with an adjoining farm
until the road and its traffic went
down. In the spring of 1855 he,
with his grown family, removed to
Iowa, where he still resides-alOne.
Notwithstanding his great age he is
still vigorous and active-runs a
small farm and rides to his town,
six or eight miles distant, frequently
on business. He has always been an
inveterate reader of the Baltimore
Sun-his politics may be inferred
with considerable accuracy-has been
its constant subscriber ever since its
commencement, and in turn it has
| q
been his shibbOleth for nearly half
century. Only few years ago the
venerable editor bestowed upon his
ancient patron very handsome no
tice in the columns of the Sun. A
s. Able has not many such on his
ample list.
We recall the name of John Baker
as one of the proprietors of the Little
Crossings hotel. He also kept at othel
places. He was an older brother o
Peter Baker, who was very well and
favorably known in EVANSVILLE. ant
afterwards at Oakland. He returned
to his native state and died at Myers
dale several years since. The writer
had true friend in Peter Baker. ant
is glad to avow it in this connection
John Baker was a good man at hi